We do not diagnose disease or recommend a treatment protocol or dietary supplement for the treatment of disease. You should share this information with your physician who can determine what nutrition and disease treatment regimen is best for you. Ask your physician any questions you have concerning your medical condition.
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COVID’s BRAIN SYMPTOMS MAY BE RELATED TO LOW BRAIN DOPAMINE
Patients with long COVID have described neurologic symptoms like brain fog, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation. A new study suggests these symptoms may be related to measurable changes in the brain’s dopamine system (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(26)00222-7/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2352-3964%2826%2900222-7). The lower levels were in the region of the brain called the striatum, which plays key roles in reward and motivation, movement and motor control, and cognition—the brain’s ability to think and process information. The study has several limitations, including a small sample size and a focus on long-COVID patients with significant neuropsychiatric symptoms.
WHAT NUTRIENT INCREASES DOPAMINE IN THE BRAIN
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid and is a key nutrient that increases key neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain which support focus, alertness, and stress response. Foods high in L-Tyrosine include chicken, dairy products, avocados, bananas, and nuts.
Foods High in L-Tyrosine
Incorporating foods rich in L-Tyrosine into your diet can help boost dopamine levels. Here are some examples:
Food Category
Examples
Animal Protein
Chicken, beef, lamb, fish, pork
Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, yogurt
Fruits
Avocados, bananas
Nuts and Seeds
Almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame
Legumes
Soybeans, beans
Whole Grains
Oats, quinoa
Importance of a Balanced Diet – Other nutrients, such as B vitamins and minerals, also play a role in the synthesis of dopamine, so a varied diet is beneficial.
